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A Fond Farewell to Fly Fishing

I have a condition called Ideopathic Peripheral Neuropathy. Ideopathic is ?Doc speak? for we don?t know what is causing it, so have no way to cure it or stop or slow down its advance. Many people who have this suffer constant burning pain. I?m lucky. I?ve just gone numb. No pain.

It has been going on for about 15 years now, but has advanced rapidly in the last 6 months and I am now incapable of fly fishing. When I put on waders and wading boots, I am totally disconnected from the ground and in high danger of falling. I have a hard time just buttoning shirts, to say nothing about tying any fly fishing knots.

But don?t mourn for me. I was angry about it at first. Then I realized that fly fishing was once a major way for me to relieve stress, but I?ve now reached an age and stage where I no longer have much stress in my life. So God has been fair to me and I have no reason to be angry or to complain. I have so many great memories of the fishing and the friends I have met via fly fishing, and they'll last a lifetime.

I?ll continue to post here. Don?t expect any current fishing reports, but I?ll participate and help as much as I can. I owe that this to board, which was so incredibly helpful to me as I learned the sport! I am really grateful for that!

I've truly been blessed to have been ble to enjoy fly fishing and the wonderful people it attracts!

Sorry to hear of your plight. However, with the medical knowledge you described, maybe the condition will simply not show up one day! Anyway, hope you'll continue to post here and share your knowledge and enthusiasm.

Partially in the same boat...

Brad,

Mine started about 15 years ago on the bottom of my left foot and has progressed, thank goodness, to only about calf high. However, I can't sleep on my left side anymore and if I turn over at night it soons wakes me up from the pain. Figure mine might be from diabetes cause my left lower leg and foot always feel "colder" and it feels like my circulation is somewhat impaired. My father-in-law got so bad in both feet that he had trouble feeling the gas and brake pedals in the car with his feet.

Sorry that yours has caused a cessation in your fly flishing though. Your correct about memories. Can't take those away.

Brad, sorry for your situation. Mine started quite a few years ago due to two back surgeries which resulted in nerve damage - same result. Loss of feeling in my feet led to a recurring sprained ankle leading to a reconstructive surgery which eventually resulted in an ankle fusion. A new hip thrown in the mix and I have a challenge staying upright in the river.

Two things keep me fishing still:
Wading staff and a pontoon boat - they work for me.

I hope things will work out for your best solution. Know that I truly feel your pain, or, in this case, lack of any feeling. It is frustrating, but I admire your will and tenacity. Keep the faith and enjoy the continued ride.

Tight Lines,

Kelly.

"There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home."